Temperate bacteriophages infecting the mucin-degrading bacterium Ruminococcus gnavus from the human gut.

ABSTRACT: Ruminococcus gnavus is a prevalent gut microbe reported to occur in higher abundance among individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study reports the isolation and characterization of six bacteriophages (phages) isolated from human fecal material and environmental samples that infect this species. Isolated phages have a siphovirus morphology, with genomes ranging between 36.5 and 37.8 kbp. Genome analysis indicates that the phages have a temperate lifestyle, which was confirmed by their ability to form lysogens on their host bacterial species. In contrast to the finding that phages lyse their host in liquid medium, results from a mouse trial indicate these phages can co-exist with the host bacterium in the gut without causing a significant reduction of R. gnavus

SUBMITTER: Buttimer C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10072058 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature